Baikonur spaceport saw traditional flag raising ceremony taking place at pad #17 in front of "Cosmonaut" hotel. Soyuz MS main and back-up crew members raised the flags of the countries participating in the mission.

Proton boosters will be in use at least up to 2025. After that the quantity of launches will be reduced due to the gradual equipment obsolescence, - Khrunichev Centre Director General Andrei Kalinovsky reported.